Unmasking Colonial Stockholm Syndrome in Puerto Rico

Opinion for The Latino Newsletter

As a Puerto Rican in the diaspora, I have spent decades researching our history and its tumultuous connection to the United States. It felt like my duty to understand the complexities of our shared past. Through this journey, I began noticing something deeply unsettling. Despite facing neglect, harmful policies, and systemic exploitation from the U.S., many Puerto Ricans seemed to defend or even support the systems causing the harm. These factors compounded the archipelago’s dependency and deepened a psychological attachment to its oppressors, revealing a deeper, more complex dynamic at play.

Yet, as I searched for a term to describe this phenomenon, I found nothing that fully captured it. That’s when I realized I needed to name it myself: Colonial Stockholm Syndrome (CSS). It’s the concept that the oppressed develop attachments to their oppressors, driven by survival instincts and/or systematic conditioning.

CSS didn’t emerge overnight. It’s the product of over 500 years of colonization—first under Spain, then under the United States. For over a century, Puerto Rico has existed in limbo —territory, commonwealth— but at its core, it remains a U.S. colony, neither a state nor independent. This ambiguous status has left the archipelago vulnerable to exploitation and economic dependency. 

During this time, Puerto Ricans have been conditioned to see their colonizers as protectors and saviors, much like victims of kidnapping who develop Stockholm Syndrome and form emotional bonds with their captors. Dependency became ingrained, and independence movements were violently suppressed, with narratives suggesting that survival was only possible through allegiance to the colonial power. These narratives further entrenched fear of autonomy and reinforced the belief that self-governance is not only dangerous but impossible.

Recent Examples

Today, CSS shows up in many ways. Politically, it’s clear in the push for statehood. For some, statehood promises equality, stability, and economic opportunity within the U.S. framework. Politicians like Governor-elect Jenniffer González promote statehood as the solution to Puerto Rico’s challenges, reinforcing the idea that assimilation into the United States is the only path forward. But this promise comes with contradictions.

Take the Jones Act, a policy that requires goods shipped to Puerto Rico to be transported on U.S. ships. This drives up costs for consumers and stifles economic growth, yet it’s rarely challenged by statehood advocates. 

Consider the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA), which set up a federally appointed fiscal control board to manage the archipelago’s debt. This board prioritizes repaying creditors over funding essential services, further eroding Puerto Rico’s economic autonomy. Despite the harm, many Puerto Ricans cling to the idea that closer alignment with the U.S. will solve their problems—a belief rooted in the dependency mindset of CSS.

Economically, CSS also appears in policies like Act 22, which offers tax breaks to wealthy mainland investors. While marketed as a way to attract investment, it’s fueled gentrification, displaced local communities, and worsened inequality.

Yet many defend these policies, convinced they’re vital for Puerto Rico’s survival. This too is a result of the dependency ingrained by centuries of colonial rule.

Resistance to CSS

Despite its grip, resistance to CSS is growing. Grassroots movements, cultural revival efforts, and a new generation of activists are pushing back against U.S. control and advocating for sovereignty, equity, and decolonization. Groups like Jornada: Se Acabaron Las Promesas reject the dependency narratives pushed by statehood advocates. Instead, they focus on policies that empower Puerto Rican communities, prioritizing local needs over U.S. interests.

Cultural revival efforts are also playing a key role. Artists, educators, and community leaders are reconnecting Puerto Ricans with their Taíno and African roots, using art, music, and storytelling to celebrate marginalized identities. These efforts challenge U.S. cultural dominance and remind Puerto Ricans of the strength and resilience within their own heritage.

Younger generations are leading the charge. Through social media and grassroots organizing, they’re rejecting the binary choice between statehood and stagnation. These activists are calling for climate justice, economic equity, and decolonization, imagining a Puerto Rico that prioritizes sustainability and cultural pride over dependency on mainland systems.

Liberating Ourselves

Breaking free from CSS demands a cultural and psychological shift that challenges the deeply ingrained narratives of dependency and assimilation. For Puerto Ricans, this means rejecting the idea that survival depends on aligning with U.S. systems and instead embracing alternatives that center Puerto Rican sovereignty, cultural preservation, and equity. This isn’t just about political independence—it’s about reclaiming a sense of self-worth and identity that colonialism seeks to erase.

Part of the challenge lies in envisioning what an independent Puerto Rico could look like. The absence of a clear and actionable vision has left many unsure about the archipelago’s potential outside U.S. control. A strategic plan, rooted in practical solutions and shared goals, can showcase what’s possible, helping people to see beyond fear-based narratives and reimagine the archipelago’s potential.

Colonial Stockholm Syndrome isn’t permanent. It’s a condition that can be understood, challenged, and overcome. Breaking free means amplifying the voices of those fighting for justice, acknowledging the harm caused by colonial systems, and committing to strategic, forward-thinking solutions. By recognizing its impact and working to dismantle its hold, Puerto Rico can build a future defined not by dependency but by resilience and liberation. The journey won’t be easy, but the potential for a brighter, freer future is worth it.

About the Author

Denise Zubizarreta is a neurodivergent interdisciplinary artist and cultural operations specialist of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, whose work as an arts and culture writer critically engages with post-colonial theory, identity, and the impact of colonialism on contemporary society.

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The Latino Newsletter welcomes opinion pieces in English and/or Spanish from community voices. You can email our publisher, Julio Ricardo Varela. The views expressed by outside opinion contributors do not necessarily reflect the editorial views of this outlet.